Have you noticed children coming through your practice with chapped lips, open-mouth breathing, and chronic congestion?
Parents might mention that their child drools on the pillow at night, snores loudly, or wakes up cranky even after a full night’s sleep.
These are often signs of one key thing: chronic mouth breathing.
We were biologically designed to breathe through our nose. When that doesn’t happen, the body has to compensate and over time, things fall out of balance. That’s where nasal breathing training comes in.
What Is Nasal Breathing Training?
Nasal breathing training teaches the body to return to its natural state: breathing through the nose instead of the mouth.
It’s not just about breaking a habit. It’s about understanding why mouth breathing is happening in the first place. Is there congestion? Weak oral muscles? A structural blockage?
Targeted exercises bring awareness to breathing patterns so the brain and body can reconnect with optimal nasal breathing.
Sometimes, referrals for medical or structural support (like an ENT or allergist) are necessary, especially if nasal passages are blocked.
The goal is simple but powerful:
✅ Restore proper oxygenation
✅ Strengthen orofacial muscles
✅ Support airway health
Why It Matters
The shift from mouth breathing to nasal breathing affects so much more than appearances. How we breathe impacts nearly every system in the body.
When we breathe through our nose, we often see improvements in:
- Sleep: Deeper, more restful sleep and easier mornings
- Behavior: Better focus and regulation thanks to improved oxygenation
- Facial Development: Healthier jaw, palate, and airway growth
- Feeding & Speech: Stronger oral tone, improved swallowing, and ideal tongue posture
- Overall Health: Nasal breathing filters allergens, balances oxygen exchange, and supports immune function
How We Assess
Assessment always starts with simple observation.
Spotting those who may benefit from nasal breathing training isn’t always straightforward. Some clients mouth-breathe during the day but others only do so while sleeping. Both can benefit.
That’s why it’s important to ask the right questions: What happens at night? Do they snore? Wake up tired? Have dry lips or drool on the pillow?
Clinicians often look for:
- Open-mouth posture at rest
- Lips that don’t fully close
- Low tongue resting posture
- Audible breathing or snoring
- High-arched palate
Parents can look for:
- Open mouth while playing, watching TV, or sleeping
- Dry lips or drooling
- Frequent nasal congestion
- Fatigue despite “sleeping through the night”
What Nasal Breathing Training Looks Like
Every program is unique. No two clients are the same. But most training plans include these key steps:
- Airway: Rule out structural concerns. Refer to an ENT or allergist if enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or chronic congestion are present.
- Awareness: Help clients recognize what nasal vs. mouth breathing feels like.
- Muscle Training: Use myofunctional therapy to strengthen the tongue, lips, and jaw for correct oral rest posture and nasal breathing.
- Breathwork: Incorporate gentle breathing exercises (like humming, straw breathing, or Buteyko-inspired techniques) to encourage nasal airflow and diaphragmatic control.
- Generalization: Practice nasal breathing across real-life settings (school, play, rest, and sleep) with cues, reminders, and support.
When to Refer (Red Flags)
A myofunctional or airway evaluation may be indicated if you notice:
- Chronic open-mouth posture
- Audible nighttime breathing or snoring
- Persistent congestion or dry mouth
- Narrow palate or crowded teeth
- Fatigue, poor focus, or behavior changes tied to poor sleep
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: Mouth breathing is just a habit.
Fact: Mouth breathing can signal airway obstruction or muscle dysfunction. It’s not just laziness.
Myth: Nasal breathing training is for elite athletes only.
Fact: While athletes use it to improve performance, anyone can benefit, especially growing kids. Early nasal training can guide facial growth and prevent long-term airway issues.
Myth: Once you start mouth breathing, you can’t change it.
Fact: With proper training, support, and consistency, nasal breathing can be restored at any age.
FAQ
1. How long does nasal breathing training take?
It depends on the individual. Some see progress in a few weeks, while others may need several months of therapy.
2. Can nasal breathing training help with snoring?
Yes! Improving airway tone and nasal function often reduces snoring and improves sleep quality.
3. Who provides nasal breathing training?
Usually, this is led by a myofunctional therapist or a feeding therapist trained in oral motor and Myo principles.
Ready to Help Clients Breathe Better?
If you’re ready to confidently identify mouth breathing and guide clients toward healthy nasal breathing patterns, you don’t have to do it alone.
Join The Myo Method® and discover how to confidently assess and treat orofacial myofunctional disorders in adult and pediatric patients and support your clients’ airway health; one breath at a time.
Because when kids breathe better, they sleep better, focus better, and live better; and that’s what this work is all about.
